Background: The treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA NSCLC) is complex with different approaches possible and appropriate. Various chemotherapy (CT) regimens have been used. Cisplatin with vinorelbine (CV) has been established as a viable combination used at our institution for which we endeavoured to review our experience.
Aims: Reviewing outcomes, completion rates and toxicities in patients with LA NSCLC receiving CV with radiotherapy over a 6-year period.
Methods: A retrospective review of 33 patients with locally advanced Lung cancer who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy with CV between 2011 and 2017.
Results: 32 patients with LA NSCLC were identified; 18 (57%) of whom had adenocarcinoma, 12 (36%) had squamous cell carcinoma, one with Neuroendocrine differentiation and one with unclassified NSCLC. The progression free survival (PFS) was 20.1 months (95% CI: 17.2 - Not Reached (NR)) and the median overall survival (OS) was 29 months (95% CI: 11.3-NR) with a median follow up of 43 months (95% CI: 29.5-NR). twenty-four (75 %) of the patients completed the course of chemotherapy with 5 (15 %) requiring a dose reduction. The most common grade 3 adverse effect was neutropenia, occurring in 36% of the patients, 21% of whom presented with febrile neutropenia. Esophagitis was reported in 33% of the patients and constipation in 24%. Platinum induced ATN and hearing loss occurred in 3% of the patients.
Conclusion: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with CV has an acceptable toxicity profile with encouraging PFS and OS and compares favourably over other protocols.